181st IW supports full-scale joint domestic response exercise … – DVIDS

Airmen from the 181st Intelligence Wing integrated with emergency response partners from the military, civilian and private sectors to execute emergency support operations during Homeland Defender 2023, a four-day exercise hosted at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana.

Homeland Defender is a recurring multi-agency, multinational exercise where emergency response personnel coordinate efforts during simulated disasters.

Exercise participants supported emergency operations in response to a simulated earthquake in the Wabash Valley seismic zone, which runs along the southern Indiana-Illinois border.

“This was a full-scale exercise with the purpose to integrate local, state, federal and military assets, as well as the private sector, to provide support to local authorities during a disaster response,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Stephanie Railey, the director of military support at Indiana National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.

The 181st IW sent airmen from the 181st Safety Office, 181st Mission Support Group, 181st Medical Group, 181st Security Forces Squadron and the 181st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group to support the exercise.

Once on site, 181st IW airmen coordinated with additional service members from the Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky National Guard, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and international military partners as well as emergency services partners from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Task Force 1, Indiana Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, Monroe Fire Protection District, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Fort Wayne Police Department.

Railey said the integration of all the partner organizations in a full-scale training exercise modeling real-world scenarios is invaluable for seamless response in emergency situations.

“During a disaster is not the right time to build relationships,” said Railey. “Working together shows us our capabilities and limitations.”

A key focus for the 181st IW was the evaluation of the 19th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package Fatality Search and Recovery Team.

The 19th CERFP’s FSRT element, composed of services specialists from the 181st MSG, was under observation to complete its external evaluation.

“This exercise was our evaluation to maintain certification to respond to disasters causing mass casualties and fatalities,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Crady, the noncommissioned officer in charge of 19th CERFP’s FSRT element. “We respond to natural or manmade disasters assisting the local authorities in recovery of remains.”

Formed in 2008 after several events including Hurricane Katrina, FSRT units were instituted to support various entities with fatality search and recovery capabilities and are trained and equipped to operate in any environment, regardless of conditions.

“The importance of the evaluation was to ensure that we maintain the professionalism and capability to respond to disaster,” said Crady. “[It is important] not only to assist the state in the disaster but also to bring closure to the family members of the deceased.”

Ultimately, the 19th CERFP’s FSRT element received good news: a passing evaluation at the conclusion of the exercise.

While FSRT proved their proficiency, other 181st IW personnel consistently and simultaneously displayed their value in various critical mission sets.

“We had everything from water rescue operations to collapsed buildings and civil unrest,” said Railey. “In every incident there’s going to be multiple scenarios that play out.”

For example, personnel from the 181st IW Safety Office continuously observed training and advised personnel of potential hazards before and during training. 181st SFS defenders partnered with Indiana Army National Guard military police and civilian law enforcement agencies to respond to simulated riot-based scenarios. 181st IW airmen also worked with IDHS to provide communication, coordination and support to the Incident Command System and support personnel. Lastly, 181st ISRG analysts supported Indiana’s Incident Awareness and Assessment unit and worked directly with the incident commander on situational awareness and damage assessments.

Throughout Homeland Defender 2023, 181st IW airmen proved their capabilities to provide critical and strategic components of emergency response to Indiana and beyond.

Located at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base in Terre Haute, Indiana, the 181st IW provides globally integrated ISR, agile combat support and domestic response capabilities to support contingency operations worldwide while ensuring military readiness to serve the greater Wabash Valley community, state and nation.